CHISINAU, September 08. /ITAR-TASS/. Moldova will not join NATO and will preserve its neutral status laid down in the country’s constitution, Prime Minister Iurie Lianca said in an interview with ITAR-TASS on Monday.

“Moldova is a neutral country. Our neutrality provides a solid foundation for settling the Dniester conflict and removing all possible Russian security fears. It proves that Moldova’s rapprochement with the European Union is not posing any threat to Russia’s security interests,” Lianca said.

The Moldovan prime minister does not see any need for Moldova to join NATO even in view of its efforts to join the European Union. Lianca believes that Moldova should continue discussing its EU membership with Russia and the European Union to remove all fears and concerns.

“We are not planning to create tensions and unnecessary complications. We are not interested in geopolitical discords. We are sticking to this approach, and we expect Russia to take steps in this direction,” Lianca stressed.

In his comments on recent remarks by some Moldovan politicians that the country should join NATO, Lianca said the Moldovan authorities should be guided by the constitution in their actions.

“We have a coalition government in which various points of view can exist. It is a normal process. It takes place in all countries with a pluralistic governance system. It is important that in the long run all branches of power observe the constitution and comply with constitutional provisions and current laws,” Lianca told ITAR-TASS.

Moldova builds relations with NATO on an individual partnership plan which allows Moldovan servicemen to take part in the alliance’s peacekeeping operations. Public opinion polls reveal that only 14% of Moldovans want their country to join NATO; 52% of respondents believe that neutral status is the best way to ensure Moldova’s security while 12% favour accession to the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).